The Fever

By

Xesbard

Disclaimer:
Xena and Gabrielle, etc. belong to folks other than me, and Im just playing
with them No profit gained, no harm intended, yada, yada, yada

Subtext/Maintext, Violence,
Conqueror Action: Hear this, gentle reader: This story assumes that X&G
are lovers and life partners. There is major sexual contact, including details
<g>, and a twist on the Conqueror. If you dont like these type themes,
stop reading now.

Gabrielle pulled the furs closer around her and turned to face the fire more directly.
She hated this feeling  her body insisting on shuddering with fever, her
breathing rough, her skin clammy. She had been fighting it for days, and had finally
given up tonight.

Xena returned from the lakes edge with another pot of
water, and the herbs she had pulled from her healing pack. She gazed at the
bard, worried about the fever that had risen so quickly. Gabrielle did not often
get sick, but when she did Xena remembered when the coughing sickness
had taken the bard last season  Xena almost lost her that time. She was
determined to break this fever before it settled in her lovers chest.

Mixing the herbs in water warmed from the fire, she handed
the cup to Gabrielle, then settled in behind the bard, pulling the smaller woman
close in to her chest. Gabrielle rested against the warm leather covering Xenas
breasts, her head tucked under the Warriors chin. She sniffed the cup,
then wrinkled her nose.

"What is this stuff, Xena? It smells different from what youve
given me before."

Xena pulled her love closer, and wrapped her arms around her.
"It is a new combination, meant to break your fever before it can really take
hold." Xena sighed. She had decided to try this cure, but the side effects were
worrisome. How much to tell the bard?

"Then why are you nervous?" Gabby read the warriors thoughts
 as usual.

"I am not nervous  I dont get nervous Well,
not often." Xena had to smile at how well the bard knew her. "These herbs may
cause you to have strange dreams. They are quite strong, and I dont want
you to be scared at where your mind might take you. So Im staying right
here, and will hold you until you wake up."

"What kind of dreams?" Now Gabrielle was tense. She did not
want her mind filled with the heartbreak of Hope, or the guilt of Solans
death, or with images of Callisto But she trusted Xena with her life,
and knew the warrior would rather die than hurt her. She hadnt tasted
the medicine yet, however

Xena took a breath. "People sometimes dream of secret longings
 things they would never admit while awake, even to themselves." Her old
fear gripped her  that Gabrielle would dream of leaving her, of settling
down, or of returning to rule the Amazons. The bard had many options, and staying
with an old ex-warlord might not be at the top of her list. Xena knew it was
a risk to give Gabrielle these herbs. But she must not get sick again,
she thought to herself. Her health and safety are worth the risk no
matter what she discovers Xena pulled Gabrielles body closer,
and held her tightly.

Secret longings? I dont have any secret longings
at least I dont think I do but maybe thats what they call
them secret Gabby squeezed Xenas hand, then downed
the potion. It was bitter, and left a slimy aftertaste. "Yuck!" she exclaimed,
setting the cup down.

Xena chuckled. "I guess you made up your mind, my bard," she
said softly, and kissed the back of Gabbys neck.

Gabby felt the herbs hit her stomach, and caught her breath
as warmth spread through her body. All her muscles began to relax, and she felt
tingling in her fingers and down her legs. This stuff is fast! She struggled
to stay awake, but could only murmur, "I love you," as her eyes closed and her
breathing became even.

Xena shifted her weight into a more comfortable position, her
back resting against a large boulder. She pulled the furs over both of them,
and kissed her love again. "Sleep well," she whispered. "Ill be here 
always "

Gabrielle looked around, trying to discern where she was.
She had never seen this place before, and yet it felt vaguely familiar. She
was laying on a chaise in the corner of a large room. The walls were brightly
lit with torches which also contained incense, for a seductive scent rose with
the smoke. Ornate tapestries hung between the torches, and a thick rug graced
the stone floor. A large table stood in the middle of the room, with six chairs
around it. Currently it was filled with bowls of fruit, nuts, bread, and a platter
of what smelled like roast lamb. Gabrielles mouth began to water, and
she struggled to turn her attention away from the table, and to the rest of
the room.

Behind the table against the near wall, was a large desk.
It was covered in maps and scrolls, and was clearly a work space where work
was actually done. A seating area composed of more chaises and low chairs was
arranged close to the fire. Beyond that was an alcove which seemed filled with
a large bed.

Gabrielle was alone. Where was she? Had she been her before?
Why did this seem familiar? And where was Xena? Looking down, the bard gasp
at her own attire. She was dressed only in a thin silk robe, which was tied
loosely around her waist. She had no undergarments on, surprising in itself,
and her brows raised when she noticed that the fur around her mound had been
neatly trimmed.

But what made Gabrielles breath catch in her throat
was when she examined the soft leather cuffs which encircled her wrists, ankles,
and her throat. They were lined in sheepskin, tight without being uncomfortable,
and each had a small metal ring attached to the outside of it. She felt the
collar around her neck, noticing it had two rings -one in front and one
in back. She also noticed it, like the cuffs, had no buckles. Where in Hades
was she??!

Gabrielle rose and moved slowly to the desk. She felt weak,
as if she had walked a very long way. Her head felt fuzzy. That must be it 
she must have been ill. A fever, perhaps, interfering with her memory?

The bard put these thoughts aside as she examined the maps
on the desk. What was this? Greece was the same shape, here was Potidea, and
here was Amphipolis. But why was Corinth so large? And why was it labeled as
the capitol? And where was Athens?! It wasnt even on the map!!

Gabrielle was so intent on her study that she didnt
hear the tall woman enter the room and come close to stand behind her. Her senses
finally realized she was no longer alone, and she turned with a start. Looking
up into cerulean eyes, she smiled. "There you are! I was wondering where you
were, Xena "

Her voice died in her throat as the woman moved quickly
to her and grabbed her collar ring around a strong finger, pulling the smaller
woman up on her tiptoes. "What was that?" she asked on a low and frightening
voice. "That is Lord Xena to you, village girl. Forget again and you will not
like the reminder." Gabrielle almost fell as Xena released the collar, and struggled
to find her footing. Gasping with surprise, she forced herself to remain quiet,
and took in the woman before her. This looked like her love, sounded like her,
smelled like her. But

Xena was dressed in an elaborate silk tunic, the blue matching
her eyes perfectly, the gold trim looking suspiciously like real gold thread.
It was long, coming down to her knees, and silk leggings fell below to her ankles.
Her feet were sheathed in gold sandals, and her toenails were painted in what
looked like gold leaf.

They were clearly no longer in the realm that the bard called
home. She instinctively lowered her eyes and said softly, "Forgive me, Lord
Xena. My memory is playing tricks on me. Im afraid I dont know where
we are."

"Then let me remind you, my bard." Xena pushed Gabrielle
back to the wall, and raised her arms above her head, fastening the cuffs with
a metal clip to a ring in the stone. "Spread your legs," the warrior commanded,
slapping the inside of Gabrielles thigh. The smaller woman responded immediately,
and felt her lover fasten each ankle cuff to another corresponding ring, leaving
her spread wide and taunt against the cold stone.

"Now " Xena smiled coldly. She unfastened the tie around
Gabbys waist, leaving her naked as the silk brushed along her breasts.
Gabrielles nipples stood up in the breeze, and Xena smiled again as she
took one in her mouth. The bard gasp at the sensations fighting inside her 
the warm lips on her breast, the cold air on her stomach and legs, the feeling
of immobility as she struggled against her bonds She felt herself becoming
very wet, and a moan escaped her lips.

"Now do you remember?" Xena asked. "Do you remember who
you belong to, village girl? Who owns you? Who decides how you live, and even
IF you live?? Who takes her pleasure on you, and gives you pleasure as she sees
fit??"

As she spoke Xena pinched the bards breast, then moved
her hand down to cup her mound, stroking her outer lips and smirking at the
wetness she found. "Who makes you wet, village girl? Who cums on you, and allows
you to cum as she desires it? WHO??"

Gabby found her voice enough to whisper, "You, Lord Xena.
Only you "

"Thats right, bard you belong to "

"You."

"You love only "

"You "

The Warlord stroked the bards slit, increasing the
wetness, lubricating her fingers and the back of her hand. "Who makes you cum?"
she asked, as she thrust four fingers into the smaller woman.

"YOU!" Gabby gasp at the thrill of being taken like this.
Her Xena had never been this forceful  had never conquered her like this.
She was surprised at her reaction, and more surprised that she wasnt satisfied.

Xena recognized the bards need, and unfastened the
cuffs. Gabby dropped into her arms, limbs asleep after being strained so. Xena
picked the smaller woman up and carried her to the alcove, depositing her on
the bed. Quickly stripping off her clothes, she lay atop Gabrielle, pinning
her to the bed. Xena kissed her softly, increasing the pressure as she took
possession of the bards mouth. Gabby responded with a moan, kissing her
love back with a passion she had never felt. She began to writhe under Xenas
weight, her struggle increasing her pleasure.

Xena nipped Gabrielles neck, and then bit down her
chest, hard enough to leave marks but not break skin. The simultaneous pleasure/pain
was enough to bring the bard to the brink, and she struggled harder against
Xenas weight.

Gabrielle gasp and became still. Her senses were heightened
by her fear, and yet she knew she was safe with this woman. Even in this alternate
reality, Xena was her life  her soul. The two sensations  love and
trepidation, combined to take her to new heights of arousal.

It took all her willpower, but the bard stayed still as
Xena rubbed herself on her thigh. She watched as her loves eyes closed
in pleasure, then opened to stare at her with a hooded look. Her arms were still
pinned at her sides, and Xena held her tightly as she took her pleasure on the
sub.

Xena came with a groan, and stared down at the bard. She
let go of her arms, and Gabby winced as she felt where fingertips had been.
She would carry bruises from this encounter, but she didnt care. She wanted
the Warrior to mark her  so everyone would know to whom she belonged.

Xena sucked a breast again, as her hand moved back down
to Gabbys centre. She grabbed the bards mound and shook it. "This
is mine," she growled.

"Yes, Lord Xena all yours "

Xena thrust inside the bard, moving fingers in such a way
that Gabrielle gasp, and it took all her power not to writhe against the warlord.
Xena quirked an eyebrow at the bard. "Does this feel good?" she asked.

"Oh, yes "

"Do you want more?"

"Please," Gabby gasp.

"How much do you want?" Xenas voice was like honey.

"As much as you will give, Lord Xena "

Xena smiled at the bard, and thrust her fist inside Gabrielle,
taking her with a force the smaller woman had never fathomed. "Dont cum,
Gabrielle not until I give you permission do you understand?"

Gabby nodded slightly, all her focus on the hand inside
her and the sensation of being filled beyond measure. Every slight movement
of finger was like fire in her  every twitch enough to make her crazy
with desire. It took all the willpower she had ever used not to cum now on Xenas
hand.

Xena recognized the struggle the bard was having, and smiled
at her willingness to submit to the Conquerors command. She moved her
hand again, smirking at the distress she was causing the bard. Almost
Gabrielle couldnt take much more

Bending close to Gabbys face, she kissed her gently,
nipped her earlobe, and said, "Now!"

Gabrielle came with a scream that shook the stone walls.
Her entire body shuddered with the intensity of the climax, and she shook for
what seemed like an eternity.

Xena held her gently, now behind her. "Thats my girl,"
she whispered

Slowly Gabrielle opened her eyes. She was in Xenas arms,
under furs, beside a campfire. The sun was rising, and the sky was filled with
pale pink streamers. Argo stood quietly beyond the fire, having a bit of breakfast.
The bard took stock of her body - realizing her fever was gone, her chest and
head relaxed and feeling much better.

Gabby felt her loves arms around her, and turned to look
into Xenas eyes. Xena looked back with love and concern. "Are you all
right?" she asked. "You were crying out in your sleep... Did you...dream of
anything?" Xena held her breath as she waited to hear what the bard might say.

Gabrielle turned her body so she could hold tight to the warrior.
She listened to Xenas heart pounding in her chest, and breathed with her
love as the beating slowed to a more calm tempo. "Us, my love I dreamed
of us "

"And was everything ok?" Xena whispered.

"Oh, yes More than ok I love you more than life
itself." Gabrielle knew now, more completely than ever before, how true those
words were.

The bard settled again in the warriors arms, and together
they watched the sun come up.